About Us

Our Vision

A competitive, profitable and sustainable primary industry sector.

Our Purpose

As a not-for-profit organisation we provide services and independent support to the primary industry sector to enable them to manage change, risk and business challenges for the benefit of the public.

Our Clients

We support the primary industry sector which includes primary producers, fishermen, foresters and harvesters and small, related rural businesses and industry organisations.

Our People

Our organisation is built with qualified people who are adaptable and responsive to the needs of our clients. We know that our success is based on our experience and ability to be innovative and actively seek out opportunities and partnerships to deliver on our outcomes.

Our Values

TRUSTWORTHY. We build trust with our clients and stakeholders by being timely, reliable and honest in all that we say and do.RESPECTFUL. We treat all of our clients and stakeholders with respect. We value the role that they play and their diversity. We strive to be supportive, helpful and empathetic.ETHICAL. We are transparent, honest and confidential in all our dealings.PROFESSIONAL. We strive for business excellence and high performance. We take pride in our work and deliver our best.

Challenges and Opportunities

The changing face of agribusiness has led to the delivery of improved and targeted Programmes and Services to support the development of a competitive, profitable and sustainable primary industry businesses.

Climate and Environment

Responses to a drying climate, water availability and sustainable practices.

Global Food Demand

Changing production or distribution to access important overseas markets.

Declining Terms of Trade

Managing a profitable enterprise with the challenges of global price movements.

Staff and Training

Sourcing and retaining quality staff, and ensuring their skills continue to develop.

History

The Rural Financial Counselling Service began nationally in 1986 after a meeting of rural community groups. The decision was made to support the development of local financial counselling groups within regions that were deemed to be in difficulty through drought, depressed commodity prices and increasing interest rates with Rural Financial Counsellors appointed throughout South Australia.

In 2006 a new state wide service, the Rural Financial Counselling Service SA, commenced and replaced the 12 existing regional based Rural Financial Counsellors that were managed by volunteer committees.

At the peak of the drought in 2007, the 12 rural financial counsellors increased to 21.

In 2011 Rural Business Support was formed, expanding its services to the whole agribusiness sector.